Saying that his message of keeping government responsible to taxpayers resonated with voters, Brown County Supervisor David Steffen of Howard claimed victory Tuesday in the Republican primary for the Fourth Assembly District.

Steffen, 42, led businessman Jeff Goelz of Allouez and county lawmaker Corrie Campbell of Ashwaubenon by more than two-to-one. Steffen had 2,358 votes, compared with 1,038 for Goelz and 593 for Campbell.

"We've run a very positive campaign that focused on this issues that are important to the people of the Fourth District," said Steffen, who also serves on the Howard Village Board. "People know that I've been able to deliver lower taxes and reduced debt."

Results from Allouez and some other parts of the district were delayed Tuesday night because they could not be transmitted electronically from municipal clerks' offices. Those tallies were being hand-delivered to the county clerk's office late Tuesday.

Next up for Steffen is a general-election battle with Democratic newcomer Chris Plaunt, a recent law school graduate.

Goelz(Photo: Submitted)

The district has leaned to the right in recent years, having sent Republican Chad Weininger to Madison in the two previous elections. Weininger did not run; he has taken a job as director of administration for Brown County.

Steffen's primary win could be an indicator of future good news for a local real estate agent. Steffen's house is just outside the district, and he has vowed to move into the district if he wins in November.

In the weeks leading up to the primary, the Goelz' campaign tried to paint Steffen as a "Washington lobbyist turned politician." Steffen worked in the past for lawmaker Mark Green, and currently is operations director for The Taxpayers' Network, a Brown County-based membership organization involved in education and public policy.

Campbell(Photo: Submitted)

Campbell, 49, ran a grassroots campaign focused on getting out the vote in Ashwaubenon, her hometown. She will remain on the county board, where she recently began a second term.

The Steffen campaign got a boost from a pro-school-voucher political-action committee that spent almost $8,800 on the race. The American Federation for Children Action Fund, headed by former Michigan Republican Chairwoman Betsy DeVos, did not contribute directly to the Steffen campaign.

The district includes all or part of Ashwaubenon, Allouez, e pere, Green Bay and Howard.